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Observation: Weber Canyon

Observation Date
1/12/2019
Observer Name
Brackelsberg
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon » Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Western Uintas
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
The snow in the protected trees was shallow and very faceted. Trail breaking had you sinking to the ground. Higher elevations with more snow and that had received wind and sun had more consolidated snow pack.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The due N aspects in the trees were almost completed faceted. Up higher in the trees we received 2 very large collapses with cracks. The first had a ~20M crack that cracked ~8M from us. The second was a smaller crack within 2 M. Both had significant collapses (you could hear and feel them).
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
See video and snowpit profile.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,700'
Slope Angle
29°
  1. In the video the first small pit was in the due east tree protected completely faceted snowpack. The full pit was an ECTX that was performed after we received an ECTP-14.
  2. The photo was the large crack we received from ~20M away.
Our tour today definitely showed a huge amount of spatial variability. We found very weak snow in the shallow, shaded (cold) areas. It reiterated that travelers still need to be on their toes paying very close attention to what they see, feel, and hear.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates